Horn of Lake Erie Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 All I feel like anyone in Browns nation talks about is the draft. "We will have to stick with W/M at QB because there is nothing in the draft this year" "It looks like we have another 3 years to rebuild." Have we all lost sight of the fact that free agency exists in this league and the fact that we have an owner that actually has a interest in creating a winning team? Serious contenders in this league use free agency to fill in gaps. This year we overhauled the team with good, young talent. Now is the time to begin filling in the holes via free agency and our top draft pick. First priorities are LB, G, and QB. Where should our first look be in order to fill in these gaps? I argue free agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnugglyBottoms Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 someone is a free agent because someone else didnt want to sign them also overpaying draft is the way to build your team Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Couch Pulls Out Posted December 16, 2012 Report Share Posted December 16, 2012 All I feel like anyone in Browns nation talks about is the draft. "We will have to stick with W/M at QB because there is nothing in the draft this year" "It looks like we have another 3 years to rebuild." Have we all lost sight of the fact that free agency exists in this league and the fact that we have an owner that actually has a interest in creating a winning team? Serious contenders in this league use free agency to fill in gaps. This year we overhauled the team with good, young talent. Now is the time to begin filling in the holes via free agency and our top draft pick. First priorities are LB, G, and QB. Where should our first look be in order to fill in these gaps? I argue free agency. Adding a QB via free agency is dangerous. It's worked out, but often times that's for teams that have talent abundant in other positions but just can't quite turn the corner, a la Denver. It's possible to find that diamond in the rough, but very, very unlikely. Take a look at the starting FA Qb's this year so far. I divided them up into categories: You have your big name FA's who sat behind and learned from a great QB and would no doubt change the face of whichever franchise they went to. Matt Cassel, KC- 1,796 yards 58.1% completion 6 TD's 12 INT's. Lost starting job to Brady Quinn Matt Flynn, SEA- 68 yards 58.6% 0 TD 0 INT. Lost starting job to Russell Wilson. Kevin Kolb, ARI- 1169 yard 59.6% completion 8 TD 3 INT. Can't stay on the field. You have your middle of the road QB's, nothing special but are capable of putting together solid games from time to time. Brady Quinn, KC- 794 yard 60.6% completion 2 TD 5 INT. Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF- 2,718 yards 62.3% completion 21 TD 13 INT. Chad Henne, JAX- 1,217 yards 51.6 completion 8 TD 5 INT And you have your big name guys who had success with other franchises and would be a blessing to whatever crappy team they signed with. Jay Cutler, CHI- 2,495 yards 59.8% completion 16 TD 13 INT Michael Vick, PHI- 2,165 yards 58.5 completion 11 TD 9 INT. Can't stay on the field. And then you have your Drew Brees's and your Peyton Mannings. One was a lock for the HOF before going to one team, and the other was a relative no-namer who wasn't anything exceptional. I'm not entirely sure who's in the FA market this year for QB, but I'm sure someone will post that and then you tell me what categories you think each of those QB's fits in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nw220 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 F/A is not the way to build this team and Jimmy Haslam knows that coming from Pittsburgh....He has said on many occasions that the reason Pittsburgh has been so good and continued there success throughout such a great length of time is the fact that they draft so well and dont spend crazy money on F/As....If we can pick up a couple key pieces here and there for the right price than by all means but if not then no you stick to the draft.... Look at Buffalo and Mario Williams damn did i want him last offseason but the price he got and what hes done its not worth it... Any smart GM will tell you that F/A is where you find you bargain players and the guys you need to fill out your roster, to be elite you need to hit on your high draft picks....Every now and then you may have to sign a big time F/A but thats when your near the Top of the League and feel your ready to get to the Super Bowl thats the only time you go that route... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browns149 Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 There are no good QB's available via Free Agency in 2013. Flacco will probably get franchised so that leaves Jason Cambell, Tavarius Jackson, Matt Moore and Drew Stanton. And of course everyone's favorite Tim Tebow should be cut by the Jets. Unless we trade for someones backup, we will still jave Weeden next year. No one in the draft is worth a crap or atleast no one is going to be better then what we have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b86b Posted December 17, 2012 Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 Def say the Draft, add a final piece thru FA.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horn of Lake Erie Posted December 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2012 Yeah. I guess I am adamant for free agency because the Browns organization has been trying to "rebuild" through the draft for the last 13 years and has yet to show anything for it. As the weeks go on, I feel like Weeden is just going to be another Tim Couch/Colt McCoy/Charlie Frye. The guy checks down so damn much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dab7291993 Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I don't like free agent QB's but I like it for every other position. Browns should seriously consider to fill some of the holes they have in FA. WR G CB FS LB DE FB aren't all gonna be filled in the draft. We don't have to rush it and try to contend next season but I'm not waiting 2-3 years to see a team that I can bare watching. It's got to be a mix of drafting and FA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cribbs is the man Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 I don't like free agent QB's but I like it for every other position. Browns should seriously consider to fill some of the holes they have in FA. WR G CB FS LB DE FB aren't all gonna be filled in the draft. We don't have to rush it and try to contend next season but I'm not waiting 2-3 years to see a team that I can bare watching. It's got to be a mix of drafting and FA We quietly sign a FA or two every year, they just arent the big name players who get overpaid and a lot of the time end up disappointing (example Ray Edwards the former Falcon). Frostee Rucker and J. Parker have been solid for us this year, not long term solutions but are doing a decent job for their price. Usama Young was another FA starter (although I realize he probably shouldnt be a starter). John Greco has been helpful with the depth at the Oline. Ben Watson is another guy who has been a significant FA signing by Heckert to fill a starting role. One of the problems with free agency is that after a player's rookie contract many of them are 26 years old, and the majority of prolific players in their rookie contracts are extended by their teams and dont really hit free agency until they are in their late 20's. And lets face it, in the NFL if you are in your late 20s you may very well have past your peak. I like what Heckert has been doing, use free agency to fill positions of need without taking a huge financial risk and maintaining cap flexibility to extend young players that have proven (or at least hinted) that they can be successful in our system. I agree that we should try to go out and sign 3 FA starters this offseason and upgrade a few postitions, but anyone who thinks being a consistent big spender in free agency in the NFL is just ignorant of how the league works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slamfire44 Posted December 18, 2012 Report Share Posted December 18, 2012 Adding a FA agent or two to fill a need or upgrade a position, no problem. Look at Philly prior to the 2011 season when they went on their FA binge...the so called "Deam Team" debacle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westside Steve Posted December 20, 2012 Report Share Posted December 20, 2012 I'd feel a little shaky about trading for Belichiks backup quarterback as Tom Brady isn't getting any younger. I want to puke thinking about another 5 years of rebuilding after the new regime comes in and cans everybody. Hopefully somebody will think a touch of consistency might be a good thing, ya think? But we already have two competent backup quarterbacks. Why trade for another? WSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyin J Posted December 21, 2012 Report Share Posted December 21, 2012 Its not bad to dip into FA time to time to fill holes with capable starters. You simply cannot count on the draft alone to build your team. If we fill a couple holes with a player of Frostee Ruckers caliber (G, FB, FS come to mind) it wont be expensive and anytime you upgrade the worst positions on your team with capable players you get better. The key is getting your stars through the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hate Posted December 22, 2012 Report Share Posted December 22, 2012 FA can be a good way to fill positions as a stop gap. But most of the good players are getting overpaid. We need a corner, this FA has plenty of good ones. A sleeper guy like Derrick Cox would be awesome. If we could steal Mike Wallace from Pittsburgh who likely won't give him the money he wants, that would be swell too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampadawgs Posted December 24, 2012 Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 Weeden will be fine, but since everyone on this board wants a new QB every year, here yoiu go this yrs FA coming your way... Luke McCown – ATL Joe Flacco – BAL Tarvaris Jackson – BUF Tyler Thigpen – BUF Derek Anderson – CAR Jason Campbell – CHI Josh McCown – CHI Bruce Gradkowski – CIN Drew Stanton – IND Brady Quinn – KC Pat Devlin – MIA – (Ex) Matt Moore – MIA Chase Daniel – NO David Carr – NYG Matt Leinart – OAK Charlie Batch – PIT Byron Leftwich – PIT Kellen Clemens – STL Rex Grossman – WAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampadawgs Posted December 24, 2012 Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 Here is the Top 50 FA coming your way.... Player Team Pos Age 1. Ryan Clady Broncos OT 26 2. Jairus Byrd Bills S 26 3. Victor Cruz (Restricted) Giants WR 26 4. Andre Smith Bengals OT 26 5. Dwayne Bowe Chiefs WR 28 6. Henry Melton Bears DT 26 7. Greg Jennings Packers WR 29 8. Wes Welker Patriots WR 32 9. Andy Levitre Bills G 27 10. Joe Flacco Ravens QB 28 11. Sebastian Vollmer Patriots OT 28 12. Michael Bennett Buccaneers DE 27 13. Anthony Spencer Cowboys OLB 29 14. Steven Jackson Rams RB 30 15. Branden Albert Chiefs OT 28 16. Jake Long Dolphins OT 28 17. Brent Grimes Falcons CB 30 18. Mike Wallace Steelers WR 26 19. Dashon Goldson 49ers S 28 20. Randy Starks Dolphins DT 29 21. Martellus Bennett Giants TE 26 22. Will Beatty Giants OT 28 23. Richard Seymour Raiders DT 33 24. Phil Loadholt Vikings OT 27 25. Aqib Talib Patriots CB 27 26. Jermon Bushrod Saints OT 29 27. Danny Amendola Rams WR 27 28. William Moore Falcons S 28 29. Kenny Phillips Giants S 26 30. Heath Miller Steelers TE 30 31. Tony Gonzalez Falcons TE 37 32. Philip Wheeler Raiders OLB 28 33. Ed Reed Ravens S 34 34. Chris Houston Lions CB 28 35. Gosder Cherilus Lions OT 29 36. Cliff Avril Lions DE 26 37. Alan Branch Seahawks DT 28 38. Ryan Lilja Chiefs G 31 39. Michael Johnson Bengals DE 26 40. Jason Jones Seahawks DT 27 41. Daryl Smith Jaguars OLB 31 42. Desmond Bryant Raiders DT 27 43. Brian Hartline Dolphins WR 26 44. Leodis McKelvin Bills CB 27 45. Danario Alexander (Restricted) Chargers WR 25 46. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie Eagles CB 27 47. Reggie Bush Dolphins RB 28 48. Osi Umenyiora Giants DE 31 49. Dwight Freeney Colts DE 33 50. Brian De La Puente (Restricted) Saints C 28 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Gipper Posted December 24, 2012 Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 Weeden will be fine, but since everyone on this board wants a new QB every year, here yoiu go this yrs FA coming your way... Luke McCown – ATL Joe Flacco – BAL Tarvaris Jackson – BUF Tyler Thigpen – BUF Derek Anderson – CAR Jason Campbell – CHI Josh McCown – CHI Bruce Gradkowski – CIN Drew Stanton – IND Brady Quinn – KC Pat Devlin – MIA – (Ex) Matt Moore – MIA Chase Daniel – NO David Carr – NYG Matt Leinart – OAK Charlie Batch – PIT Byron Leftwich – PIT Kellen Clemens – STL Rex Grossman – WAS Ugly...obviously the best on there is Flacco, and he probably won't be leaving Baltimore. Given this list, I will stick with Weeden and McCoy. (and somebody that knows how to coach them) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tampadawgs Posted December 24, 2012 Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 Did you see there are 5 former Browns on that list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browns149 Posted December 24, 2012 Report Share Posted December 24, 2012 Ugly...obviously the best on there is Flacco, and he probably won't be leaving Baltimore. Given this list, I will stick with Weeden and McCoy. (and somebody that knows how to coach them) for sure. Lots of crap out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballpeen Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 To me free agency isn't the place to find your skill players....who let's those go all that often?? It's a good place to find decent plug in linemen and sometimes workman like backers and kickers. By all means we should explore FA, but as a rule you win through the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miktoxic Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 Here is the Top 50 FA coming your way.... uh, can you not post a 12 page scroll down list? fuck Free agency. heckert has done good by us and the holy dollar bill bottom line. linebacker, linebacker, linebacker. draft. then corner and safety. our D is 2 steps away from being the best in the league. no receivers. gordon and little will be lighting it up next year once our old rookie QB settles down a piece and plays like the coaches think he can play. guarantee= next year without any major changes we go 'at least' 9-7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hate Posted December 25, 2012 Report Share Posted December 25, 2012 I think you can include Alex Smith on that list, he will be cut because they won't be paying his signing bonus. That is of course if Kaepernick doesn't bomb the rest of the way. That list we could fill some needs from *if some become FAs*. Sean Smith, Derrick Cox, DRC, Michael Johnson (Bengals almost never pay their FA), Daryl Smith. The list of FAs is solid this year, you can't fix everything in the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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